Several weeks passed as I recovered, and helped Lazuli recover, before a letter arrived for me. It was sealed with the Royal seal; a letter from the princesses. I sat down at the table and opened it, taking out the letter stashed within, and read the contents. Storm and Lazuli were also nearby, curious and intently waiting to hear what it said.

Protectorate Aqua,

It has recently come to our attention that one of the necromantic sphinxes survived. Recent intelligence has revealed that it is planning to assault a nearby pegasus town. You are to report to the castle immediately for further instructions on this task. You are free to bring whoever you desire, as long as they are competent in combat.

-The Royal Duo

I looked up at Storm, unsure of what to say. Thankfully, he spoke first. "I'm coming with you."

"Me too." Lazuli's determination was more than apparent in her tone, a nice change from the flat tone she had obtained over the last several weeks following the incident with the doppelgängers.

"Then we shouldn't keep them waiting. Prepare your things; we set out as soon as possible." The house suddenly exploded into activity as we rushed about to get the needed items. It didn't take long for me to be armour clad, nor for Storm, nor for Lazuli to prepare her few arcane supplies. Once everything was set we set out.

The trip didn't take long, particularly because it was taken in haste. Once we were at the royal palace we reported in. Shortly after we finished reporting Tigerfire also arrived. He trotted in with a different set of ponies this time. He trotted up to me when he saw me. "Well, well, looks like I'm not the only Protectorate they called. I wonder if Ajiin will be here as well."

"I will be." The familiar voice caused us to both turn and look. Sure enough, that same black pony was trotting up. "Surely you didn't think that the princesses would let me leave the job undone, did you?"

"Ha-ha, you're bloody right they wouldn't. Are we ready to kill ourselves a necromancer?" I nodded, as did Ajiin. "Then let's bloody well get in there and kill that thing!"

With that, we entered into the main palace hall, where we were debriefed on the situation and placed on an airship heading for the pegasus town.

When we arrived, two things became very clear. The first: this was the same town that we had just searched to find Lazuli. The second: the sphinx was very close. The town was in commotion, running to one end. We rushed in, moving in the opposite direction. It didn't take long for us to find the sphinx, nor his undead minions. How they remained on the clouds was a mystery to me in the moment, magic I'm sure. Almost as soon as we arrived I heard it speak. "Ah, I thought I sensed your tainted presence, betrayer."

"Your terror is nigh to end, necromancer. I'll finish what I started." Ajiin's tone of disgusted defiance rang out across the square before I could so much as respond to the sphinx’s accusation.

"Ah, the pony that butchered my friends and slaughtered my fellowkind. It will feel rewarding to end you."

"You're a bloody disgrace to magic, you know that, right?"

"You're so ignorant to the true face of it that your assumed righteousness is absurd. But none are more absurd or outlandish than the traitorous snake in your midst. We saved your life, took you in, and taught you healing magic. Now you're here, murdering us and twisting your petty little friends to your convoluted lie. So tell me, horse, who is the real villain here? Because I only see blood on your hooves."

"You desecrate the dead and expect to guilt shame me for what happened when you abducted me?"

"A peculiar lie that you know to be false. We taught you what we do, but you chose to ignore us. I'm here for retribution." Magic began to flow, raising up a few of the dropped skeletons around him. With a silent command, they lurched forwards, charging towards us. I rose onto my hind legs, drawing my blades, while the four others with me drew their weapons, of whatever form that may be. It didn't take long for us to defeat the skeletal monsters, eventually turning our attention back on the sphinx. As I looked up, two streams of energy that resembled fangs or claws knocked me several yards back. I finished tumbling and arose again, turning back to the battle. The amount of arcane energy the Sphinx was using was outlandish. The other four were having difficulty fighting it. Indeed, they were barely dodging their impending destruction. I rushed back in, very quickly being engulfed in an aura of energy threatening to blast me out again. I got into a low position, trying to resist. Suddenly, the sphinx created a shockwave, blasting the other four out of the square. I skidded several feet, but my lowered position kept me from getting airborne. I arose when I felt the decrease in force. I galloped in while it recovered, but was stopped just shy of reaching it. Some unseen force was pinning me where I was, preventing me from touching the sphinx. "You appear to love headlong combat. How...barbaric. I would have thought one of such untapped, untamed magical prowess would be a little more...cautious, hm?"

I began reaching a hoof out. "You cannot reach me, horse. Your physical disgrace of magic cannot do anything to me."

When I figured it in reach, I extended my blade. It pierced the lower chest of the sphinx, perhaps no further in than the skin. It had effect enough, as I dropped from the force holding me back. I went to strike again, but was stopped by something significantly more powerful. It felt as if my very being was being torn from me or being torn apart. Whatever it was, the agony paralysed me. I barely managed to curl up enough to see my pearl, finding a trail of near-invisible magic, black in colour, extending from him and going into my pearl, sneaking underneath my armour plates. I couldn't even emit a gasp as I slowly dropped, losing focus. I faintly heard the others coming to my aid as I continued withering. Before too long, I lost all focus, though I knew things were going on.

By the time I knew what was around me, Lazuli was directly in front of me, seated. Storm and Ajiin were in my peripherals. Lazuli was working magic, and before too long, Storm and Ajiin helped me to a sit. I looked at the trio before me, my being slowly recovering, before realising that one was missing. When I was able to, I spoke. "Where's Tigerfire?"

The suppressed smiles on their faces dropped to sombre looks of depressed worry. I saw Storm's head shake. My hope suddenly crumbled. Lazuli moved to one side, unblocking my view of the square. The first thing I noticed was the corpse of the large sphinx, or at least the charred remains of it. Tigerfire must have hit it pretty hard, my guess being from the surrounding carnage. The next thing I noticed was the large red streak that broke from the radius of destruction. My eyes followed it to find the shrivelled corpse of an orange pony. It was hard to tell the colour of its hide due to the massive volume of crimson liquid that coated the body. Not believing what I saw, I tried to get up. Ajiin went to sit me back down, but perhaps Storm understood my intentions. He allowed, even helped, me to rise and trot over. Upon arriving, getting a closer look, I concluded that it had to be Tigerfire. The body was shrivelled up, looking like it was entirely without any fluid. There was no pool of blood beneath his corpse, just the massive streak before it. "What happened?"

Ajiin spoke. "We tried to take advantage of his weakened state from channeling into you. The wound might have helped too, but it wasn't enough. We got it off of you and continued the battle. Ultimately, fearing you died, Tigerfire charged as much magic as he could in a bout of vengeful rage. Anypony a mile off could see the strain on his face. He launched it, the massive fireball, hoping that it was too distracted to block it. As a reaction, perhaps hoping to extinguish the massive ball of fire before it hit its mark, the sphinx ripped all of Tigerfire's blood out of his body, but the transfer didn't fully happen before the fire hit, killing the sphinx. So Tigerfire's blood, his entire body's worth, is strewn between the two corpses."

I sat down again, overwhelmed. Lazuli was the next to speak. "I know now might not be the time, but we need to get back and report, both to the princesses and to your Order. Tigerfire was a member of it, wasn't he?

"He was."

"I agree with Lazuli. Storm might object, but we need to move."

"You can rest at home, Aqua. I'll make sure nopony bothers you, not even Bane or Galaxia."

"Thanks, Storm. I guess you guys are right." I sighed before struggling to my hooves, even with the help of my armour. "Let's get going."

Ajiin picked up the remains of Tigerfire before we made our way back to the airship. From there, we set off from the town, eventually arriving at the palace docks once more. From there, we entered the palace. The report was given, my memory of it dull from my numb mental state, before setting out towards the Order.

When we arrived, naturally, the Guildmaster ordered a report. Ajiin stepped forward in the little meeting in the Main Hall. "So then tell me, Ajiin, what happened up there, and why do you have Tigerfire's withered body accompanying you?"

"When we arrived in the pegasus town, it was pretty routine finding the sphinx, but that's where it ended. The combat was quick and highly intense, and Tigerfire gave his life to ensure the sphinx died. Aqua nearly lost her life as well buying time."

"So the threat was eliminated?"

"Yes. Charred remains are all that remains of the sphinx."

"Excellent. As sad of news as it is that any of our Order perished, it is comforting that his sacrifice was not in vain. We'll begin searching for a replacement. You may leave the body here for proper burial, and return to your lives." Ajiin nodded, bidding me to do the same. We then took our leave. As we were trotting to the entrance, he spoke to me again.

"Well, Aqua, I think you might need some rest. You still seem shaken."

"I am. It's hard not to be when something tries destroying your soul rather than your body."

"Followed by what you saw, I don't blame you. Even I'm taking a slight break after that display. I've never seen anything so violent..." He shook his head. "I should be back within a few days, if not a week."

"Alright. I don't know how long it will take me."

"I'll see you eventually then, huh?"

"Yeah, seems so."

"Alright then. I'll see you around Aqua. And, as always, you know how to call me." I nodded. "See you."

He disappeared in a poof of smoke, leaving me alone. I turned my attention back to the trail outside of the Sanctuary. I then began the lonely trek back home.

When I arrived back home, however, I found something I wasn't expecting. Standing by the front door was a pony clad in hide and cloth, two large axes on his back. His stature was large, his frame broad, and the strength of such a stallion was undeniable. His coat was painted with blue lines, from the tip of his muzzle all the way to his hind hooves. As I trotted closer I slowed down, eventually calling out to the pony. "Can I help you?"

"I seek for Aqua."

"You found me. What can I do for you?" He drew one of his axes, causing me to take a step back.

"I demand a rematch. I will win what was mine."

"...you're kidding, right?"

"Are you mocking this fight?"

"Yes, I am. Look, I'm going to be honest with you: I'm exhausted and shaken from some recent, very brutal events. I have neither the desire nor the time to deal with this diversion. I need rest."

"There is no rest for the weary. Prepare your weapon or die!" He came charging in, forcing me to roll out of his reach. "Cowardice as always, I see."

"It's called exhaustion, Battlescar."

"At least you remember the name of the pony you stole a destiny from." He came back in, causing me to whip into action. As he swung his axe, I kicked in the opposite direction, connecting with the swinging hilt. It launched his head back the other way, almost knocking me over from the force. I recovered faster than he did, so I issued a few swift kicks to his face, jaw and neck. This ultimately caused him to drop the axe. I slammed into him before he could recover, forcing him away from the weapon and giving me enough time to grab it myself. "Weh-hell, would you look at that? You've got some guts in ye now!"

He drew his other axe and charged back in. I parried his blow with ease, moving towards him. I applied my presence and strength, pressuring him heavily. He could tell that his headstrong, direct approach was failing him, my own brutish strength outweighing him. Within a few minutes, the battle of dominance had ended, the axe in my control held closely to his neck. I eventually spat it out, letting it clunk down beside him. "As predictable as ever, Battlescar, you lost. Please just give it up, return to your tribe, and just let me rest."

I turned and began trotting away. After a few paces, I heard a grunt. Within the time of a few blinks, a sharp pain caused my back right leg to buckle, making me fall. I wheeled around to look at the pain, finding a small throwing axe stuck in my leg. I yanked it out, grunting in pain, before turning about to face Battlescar. He was getting up, reaching for his axe. I hurled the axe with as much force as I could muster. If I didn't sink the blade, at least it would knock him out. The axe did, however, sink into its target, hitting so hard that it froze his left shoulder in place. He fell over, giving me time to limp over. With a gruff tone, I barked at him. "I gave you a chance to surrender, but you refused. We could have avoided this, Battlescar, but you refused. Now look at where we are. A severe injury to both of our legs, highly limiting our mobility. Is that what you wanted? To cripple us both?"

"I wanted what was rightfully mine." His response was grunted, perhaps interrupted by his pain.

"It never was yours to begin with! You lost to me in every single battle! You were never meant to be a Protectorate; your fury closed that door."

"So then what do I have?"

"Are you not one of your tribe's best fighters?"

"I am chief."

"The act like a chief! Be the leader they need you to be! Being down here is basically abandoning them."

"I would do no such thing!"

"Yet here you are. Look, go back to your tribe. Be their leader. You were born for that, so do it. You have an entire tribe relying on your protection. I don't, and it's not like I get benefits like you do. Your job is better than mine. I mean, for Celestia’s sake, more outsiders recognise your title than mine."

He sighed. "You're right. Thank you, Aqua of the Order. I was blinded by the aspirations of my youth. I will not forget this service you have rendered unto my tribe. If you are ever in need of our assistance our weapons are yours."

"I don’t need anything at the current time, but I can have your injuries tended to. If nothing else, I won’t have you leaving here in a terribly weakened condition."

"It would be appreciated, my fellow warrior." I nodded and limped my way inside. Storm arose when I opened the door.

"Everything alright?"

"I need healing, for Battlescar and me."

"Battlescar?"

"He's out front, got an axe lodged in his shoulder."

"Oh. But who-"

"We go a ways back, but this isn't the time for small talk." I looked back at my leg, which caused Storm to glance at it. When I looked back up at him I saw his expression change, most likely when he finally noticed the long red gash and the crimson that seemed to lazily leak from it. He quickly got into motion, wrapping the leg tightly and sitting me down within the house. He then went outside, leaving me on the inside. Rather than rest on the couch, I decided my room might be a better option. I limped my way there, making my way up the stairs before heading directly for the bed. Once I had climbed onto the bed, an interesting task in and of itself, I laid down to rest. At this point, I openly welcomed the chance. Before much time had passed I closed my eyes and embraced the sleep I knew was sure to come.

It was almost a week later, my leg having mostly recovered, when a knock on my bedroom door bid me to make my way downstairs. I opened the door to welcome the guest inside. Rather than finding Storm on the other side of the door, it was Bane who trotted in. Knowing that Bane only came for matters of significant importance, shifted my general attitude. I quickly adopted a sombre expression rather than the welcoming gaze I had to begin with. I then addressed him. "What is it, Bane? You don't normally visit unless there's something that needs doing."

"Storm's group has been captured."

"They what?"

"Storm was on a reconnaissance mission when he was beset by the Serpanians."

"Weren't they the same group that captured him before?"

"Yes."

"So he's in pretty grave danger?"

"Most likely, yeah."

"Help me over to my things."

"Wait, are you seriously thinking about going out there while you're injured?"

"Yes."

"You're insane! It's highly dangerous while completely healthy; while injured, it will be suicide going in there!"

"I'd rather die trying than sit around knowing he's in danger."

He shook his head, letting out a scoff. "And you say you don't care about him."

"Just get me to my armour."

"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you." He did, indeed, help me, making sure I successfully limped my way over to my armour. While I was putting it on, I heard the door of the house open. We both turned as the clanking of metal plates unfolding echoed. Storm stood in the doorway, and behind him stood a suit of white armour. A closer look revealed to my mind the familiarity of the armour. Before we could even speak, Storm, the armoured pony, and about a half-dozen more trotted inside. The pony in the White armour, a mare, spoke.

"Well, we meet again."

"You again?"

"Yes. If it deals with Storm, the Serpanians, the order Bane is in or even MoonDusk, you can be certain that there is a good chance that I will be involved."

"So am I going to learn anything about your order, if I'm going to be involved in it? Or are you going to keep me in the dark forever?"

"I suppose you are entitled to information now, seeing as we can trust you. My name is Cularix Frosthoof. The name is my father's, so before you ask: no, my hooves don't leave frost in their wake. Irrelevant information aside, it’s time you know who we truly are. Our band of desperate fighters is known as the Bruising Initiative. We are far outnumbered by the Serpanians, as much of an understatement as that is."

"Why haven't they attacked your city yet?"

"The landscape's special properties when it rains, and how unpredictable the weather is, make it impossible to move a large force across the Gap. Indeed, did you not get stuck while returning?"

"Yeah, I did."

"Then you know from experience the danger of the Gap. That point aside, you should know why we split from the Serpanians, our brothers and sisters in arms. When our leader met with MoonDusk, and subsequently swore our allegiance to her, not everypony agreed. In the ensuing protest, the military cracked down hard. Nearly a third of the original population revolted after the violence started, but we were in the wrong position for that kind of attack. We were easily defeated and hunted down mercilessly. The order was shoot first and ask questions later for any with even the slightest tie to the revolt. We were driven out of the city, left in the Gap, which used to be called the Mud Plains. After immense difficulty, we managed to find a small cave. We used it for shelter, and over the course of a few years we managed to construct this city. As far as we are aware, the Serpanians still don't know our location. I fear what may happen if they did, which is why we always strike first with misleading signals. Every drop off point is different. Every pair of short-range communication devices is placed differently. It's kept us safe for well over several decades now."

"Decades? How long has MoonDusk been around?"

"Many of us who are growing were mere fillies and colts, if even born, at the time MoonDusk came to us. Those who first swore allegiance have almost all passed from this life, granting their hatred for us to their young. As it pertains to the timeline of MoonDusk’s reign, the Serpanians were among the first to join her, but we could tell from the dark glint in her eye that her intent was evil. Apparently, our leaders were too oblivious."

"Ok. I don't think I have any more questions, aside from asking what Storm is doing here if they were attacked."

"He escaped with the rest of his group."

"Except for one." Storm's voice rang out above our own. "I don't think she's as stubborn as I am with information, so we could be in grave danger if we don't rush to save her."

"Storm, do you have the ponies and the ability to intercede?"

"...no." It grew silent, as if impending doom rested before these ponies.

"I can." My voice echoed out almost before I could think. "I can free her."

"What about your leg?" Storm’s concern was genuine, but I wished it hadn’t arose at that moment.

"It's fine. Even if it wasn't-"

"Which it isn’t." Bane's voice cut over mine, causing me to pause momentarily.

"Even then, I'd rather go while injured and save a city than just sit back idly."

"Aqua, I believe we discussed this while I helped limp over to your armour."

"My armour has hydraulics to help me. It's also stronger than a lot of conventional weapons, so it will protect me from their weapons." It grew quiet once more. After several moments Cularix finally spoke.

"Storm, are you certain you cannot head out, that you have nopony else?"

"Yes."

"...well, I guess we have no other option. Aqua, you're up. Scour their base, find the mare. Stealth does not matter, as your armour is clearly different from ours. You are to leave as soon as you can."

"Then let's get to your city then. I'm ready now." I equipped my helmet, having the last few plates unfold to cover my head. When they had, Cularix had already opened the door. I followed her out as we began to traverse the same route as we had trotted before. At least, I think it was the same route; my eyes were closed the first, and only, time we made the journey to their base.

Cularix took the teleporter first, leaving me to take it afterwards. As I arrived, it was clear to tell how uneasy the guards were. Trotting through the hallways was difficult, requiring that any of the small ponies coming from the other direction either turned around or ducked into a nearby doorway. This time, however, instead of getting a suit and heading for underground tunnels, we took the direct path. The narrow tunnels eventually opened up into a large cave. It was about two and a half stories tall, spanning the width of several buildings and extending some several hundred yards over a gentle downgrade. At the end was a wall, one of polished rock and metal. There appeared to be what looked like slots for weapons to fire from, a feature more noticeable the closer we got. We eventually made our way to the doors, which were nothing more than one hoof thick metal plates that slid open, and entered. We climbed up to the second story, finally ending up in the one room I recognised. Again, there were several ponies gathered around a table with a map and other information on it. As we entered, the other ponies all looked up. One of them spoke first.

"Cularix, what's the news?"

"You all remember our friend Aqua, correct? She freed Storm from the Serpanians not too long ago."

"Yes, we remember fondly."

"She stands before you once more." Commotion broke out in the room before Cularix managed to silence them again. "She is here to rescue our captured warrior."

"That's not her stealth suit. What is the plan for her then?"

"She will go loud. The more of them she eliminates, the better."

"Now hold on. I'm not going in there to murder an entire civilisation." My protest was, as I had imagined it, well placed and sincere. Unfortunately, this wasn’t exactly the place for such a concern.

"No, you're not, but don't feel hesitant to lower their numbers. It would help us out in the long run."

"That's not who I am, and it goes against everything I believe in."

"Then perhaps you should believe in a group of ponies who fear the rising dawn of each new day, a group of ponies who dread the thought that they could be discovered at any time and murdered like hapless, helpless cattle by a force much larger and equipped in a manner far superior." The room grew deathly silent, Cularix' comment refusing to leave room for response. "You head out immediately. You will receive no transmissions, no communication or direction; the task of finding her is entirely up to you."

I nodded, letting the chatter of those in the room die down. When things grew quiet again, Cularix spoke. "Follow me. I will lead you to the front gate. From there, it's all in your hooves."

Again I nodded. She then led the way out of the room, navigating the narrow, twisting labyrinth of hallways. After a while of weaving our way about the many tiny halls a small metal gate, built into the side of the rock, opened and allowed me out. I had to duck underneath the top of the doorway, and barely fit through with regards to my sides. Shortly after I left through the opening, the small entrance closed behind me once again. I turned my attention to the dreary, grey landscape before me. Having the general heading from Cularix, I set out, hoping I successfully found my target.

Perhaps it was later in the day than I had figured, or that it took longer than anticipated, but it was well into the night by the time I arrived at the barely-illuminated, rusty city wall. I trotted my way to the front gate, eventually managing to find it in the near-pitch black of the moonless night. I unsheathed a blade and waited for it to superheat, the faint glow acting like a full-fledged torch in such dark conditions. Once the blade was white-hot I drove it into the wall as far as I could, eventually placing my hoof on the surface of the wall. Using all the strength I could muster I pulled the blade around in a circle that I figured would be large enough to fit me. Once the circle was complete I turned around and bucked it as hard as I dared. The wound on my leg echoed paralysing pain after the heavy impact. When I turned back around, I found the chunk shoved inwards, but not quite out of the socket. The deafening noise that had run out from the hefty metallic impact certainly drew the attention of the guards, though. A form of alarm sounded off, eventually ringing louder than the metallic wall. When I was able to, I pulled my legs in for another round. I took a deep breath, anticipating the wall of pain. The strike brought it, predictably, but I heard a lot more commotion after this impact. I barely managed to turn about, a heavy limp slowing my motion. A hole sat in the middle of the wall, granting me entrance. I eventually trotted within, at least when the pain had subsided enough to allow me to, only to find a line of guards having re-formed around the circular block of gate. Several red streaks led up to the chunk, indicating the unfortunate death of at least one of them. When I entered I heard them give the command to 'fire at will'. I was suddenly getting pelted by little metallic spheres, most likely the kind that Storm had told me about. As far as I could tell, I didn't feel the sting that signified that they were penetrating my armour. I reared up onto my hind legs and drew my two blades. Perhaps the sight of me becoming so large shot terror amongst those trying to stop me. So much so, in fact, that few remained nearby. After the last few shots, the path was emptied entirely. I was alone, so I withdrew my blades again and dropped down to all four once more. I was glad to get a lot of the weight off of my injured leg, if nothing else. Seeing as the path was now completely open, I began trotting towards the main building where the prison block was.

Upon arriving at the gate, I found quite a few more soldiers garrisoned. They also had larger weaponry than the last group, including a few wide, open-mouthed metallic cylinders. Upon seeing their reluctance to move, I reared up onto my hind legs and drew my blades. Suddenly, a loud boom echoed out. A large, metal ball, misshapen by the scraps it was made from, hurtled towards me. I didn't have time to avoid the ball and was very swiftly carried off of my hooves. Once my legs clipped the ground again, almost immediately flopping me onto the ground, the ball rolled over top of me, momentarily pinning me down. When it passed I arose once more. With a grunt, the blunt trauma of such a large strike stinging, I shook myself and began charging at them. It was hard to gallop, my injured leg slowing me down, but I was making good ground. I heard a few more booms and saw the corresponding orbs flying towards me. This time, however, I had more time to react. I ducked into the alleyways to the right, making my way between the houses. I continued my pace, but set the warp core for the other side of the street. I heard the ding as I galloped between the houses. I also heard shuffling and orders for them to watch their left. I activated the warp core, being placed onto the other side of the street. My coordinates put me inside of a house, so I had to leave before continuing my approach. Once outside again, I began galloping towards the gate. I burst from the alleyways, finding mostly their sides to greet me. I reared up as quickly as possible, drawing my blades. I didn't wait for them to heat up, as the guards were now turning their attention towards me. I began cutting them down, the crimson stains flying. Before they had time to so much as draw their weapons, I had sundered every last one of them. I turned to the gate before me before sinking my now-heated blades into it. Once more I cut a circle big enough to fit through. I then turned around, taking in a deep breath in anticipation of the ensuing pain. I bucked back, feeling the pain I knew would come. When I turned around, I found the section had moved, but was not fully removed. I turned back around with a groan and kicked again, this strike being significantly weaker than the others. Upon hearing the lack of impact from the section falling, I bucked again. I heard the metallic clanking and knew the piece had finally fallen. I turned about once more, at least when the pain subsided, and trotted within. The familiar garden-like interior greeted my eyes, with one exception: guards again lined the path before me. I sighed, but was very quickly cut off by the sound of guards behind me. Turning around revealed them to be clumping around the hole in the other side of the door. Out of curiosity, I looked up the wall. Standing at the top, lined up in the neatest row I had seen, were yet more guards. My attention was drawn back to the front, causing me to face the crackling sound I heard. A pony stood in front of the rest of the guards, a cone-shaped object before is face. "Surrender now and we might let you off with light torture."

"You know, that doesn't seem like something I'd be willing to submit to."

"We have you surrounded and grossly out gunned. Give yourself up or face the consequences."

"Your silly little weapons don't do anything to my armour. You're the only ones that should surrender. I won't have to kill you then."

"Our heavy ordinance is in place, with sights on you. Last warning, intruder: give yourself to us as a prisoner or die." I looked up at the large structure, finding a dozen or so points sticking out of it. I tilted my head. "Do I need to spell it out for you? Fire a bolt!"

I got into a low stance, ready to dodge. One of the points fired. Behind the projectile was fire, coming out of the back of it and pushing it forwards at a faster rate. I rolled to the side, barely managing to get out of the way of the hurtling ballista bolt. The jagged, wicked head of it sunk deep into the ground a few mere inches to the side of me. I quickly looked back towards the ponies before me. "So, are you going to surrender? Or will we pin your eviscerated remains to the ground with those things?"

I rose to a stand once more and began trotting to the side. I read my coordinates and adjusted a teleportation location to a rough estimate of where the enemy was. I continued trotting back and forth, hoping my warp core would charge. The spokespony was having none of it. "You're wasting our time. Ballistae, open fire!"

Suddenly, the area became deafeningly loud as all the projectiles fired. The bolts careened towards me as I broke into a gallop. As soon as the ding resounded in my suit, I warped. I was directly behind the spokespony, who went to look around wildly. I drew a blade and sunk it straight through the back of his head, feeling his weight as his body quickly fell limp. I kicked his body off, the storm of propelled bolts finally hitting the ground where I had been. I raised up on my hind legs and drew my other blade. As I did so, the courtyard erupted in another deafening roar, but this time it was from the weapons the ponies had. Sounds of ricocheting projectiles rang out, and a few of the guards suffered friendly fire from the deflected scrap balls. I quickly set out to cutting down those around me. Within a few mere minutes, my shot to the sewers was open. As this was the route I knew, and the one I knew would have the least number of ponies that I had to murder, I bolted for it. No sooner had I opened the hatch and begin squeezing myself down, than I heard the ballistae fire again. I barely managed to slip my tail in after me when I felt the impact of the bolt as it collided with the ground beside the entrance. The jarring force helped launch me down the hatch and into the waters below with a heavy thud. I heard distant shouting from above, pertaining to the sewers, but disregarded it and began my gallop.

I vaguely remembered the path I had taken to escape the last time and followed it as closely as I could. It took several guesses, each leading to an empty room with things like showers, before I managed to find the one to the prison. As I was approaching the exit, I heard the sound of rushing water. It didn't increase in volume, but it still caused me to look for the source. I found it to be the water at my hooves. Wait, no, it was above my hooves; it was rising. I quickly turned my attention to the exit and climbed up. When I arrived at the top, I carefully lifted the lid and looked around. There were no guards in the immediate vicinity, so I climbed out and closed the grate behind me. I began making my way down the hallway, cell by cell. The first few had no prisoners, so I continued moving down the block. As I rounded the corner, I came face to face, rather, chest to face with a guard. "Hey!"

Before he could say more, I quickly unsheathed a blade and sunk it into his neck. His gurgled attempts of fear filled communication were cut off when I yanked the blade out to one side. I then doubled back, sending the head rolling across the floor. I sheathed my blade before dragging the corpse, and its respective head, into an empty cell. I activated the lock, leaving the corpse behind the wall of energy, and continued on.

The search took longer than I thought it would, and left more bodies than I had hoped I would have to leave. Not all died in the same brutal manner, but none were left alive. As for the prisoners, each time I found one I'd ask where they were from. Most responded with something along the lines of 'the outer city'. One pony, however, became defensive. My approach was as it had been before. "Prisoner: from whence do you hail?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Her shrill tone caused the sentence to come out as an attack rather than a spat remark.

"Yes, I would, thank you."

"I've told you scum a thousand times: it doesn't matter how much you whip me, I won't tell you."

"So you're not a Serpanian?"

"No! To have the inference that I was one is plain insulting!"

"Good. You're exactly the one I'm looking for."

"Based on how blatantly ignorant you are of the very clear, physical differences between us, I'd say you're an outsider. Either that, or a really stupid Serpanian."

"I'm an outsider. I was sent to break you out."

"By who, exactly?"

"Cularix." Her face changed immediately, as did her tone.

"If you know her name, then you clearly are a friend of ours; none of the Serpanians have even heard of her, and we intend to keep it that way. I was starting to wonder when aid would arrive, though, so I’m glad you came. Get me out of here and let's get moving. The next patrol arrives in about ten minutes."

"How do you-"

"I've been here long enough."

"Fair enough." I trotted over and deactivated the energy wall, allowing the mare to leave.

"Follow me. I know which way to go." She began trotting away before I had the chance to respond. When I had caught up to the quietly cantering mare I finally got the chance to ask.

"How do you know which way to go?"

"The reason I was here in the first place, and the reason I got caught, was because I was mapping their underground tunnels. It would have been my intel that you used to rescue Storm last time. Unfortunately, it was flawed. I know the way now."

"Is it through the sewers?"

"That's one way."

"Not any more. They flooded it."

"You came in loud, did you?"

"Mhm."

"There are battlements that we might be able to fit out of. Once there, we'd be out of the palace and into the courtyard."

"If the holes are still there, we'd have a straight shot out."

"And then...wait." She halted suddenly, bidding me to do the same. I listened intently to see if I could figure it out. It was then that I heard several sets of hoofsteps approaching. I drew a blade in anticipation. "What are you doing?"

Her tone was little more than a harsh whisper. Mine was a bit gentler. "The same thing I did with the other guards."

"You're going to kill them?"

"Quick and quiet, just like the others."

"...alright then." I reared up onto my hind legs and drew the other blade. By the time they had both heated up, the guards rounded the nearby corner. I made my way over quickly, relatively at least, as they drew their weapons with shouts. Within seconds of my arrival, the six guards were decimated; their scorched and cauterised bodies lay limply upon the ground. I sheathed the blades and lowered myself to a regular stance again, just in time for the mare to trot up. "I can see why they sent you in loud."

"I would have preferred stealth."

"Either way, they know we're here; let's get moving."

"Lead on, then." She nodded and began trotting forwards once more. All I could do was follow behind her.

We made our way through twisting passageways, barely managing to evade a few patrols along the way. We eventually made our way to a set of decently large doors, which she bid me towards. I trotted over and kicked the doors in, an easy feat in and of itself. There were a few ponies within, standing beside what looked like it could have been a ballista, who turned in surprise. I reared up and drew my blades, but the five of them dropped their weapons and began backing away with their ears down. I dropped down onto my front hooves after sheathing my blades, eventually addressing them. "Stand down, leave your weapons, and forget you ever saw us. Do this and you will live to see tomorrow."

Their fearful faces were all I needed to see. With the mare now by my side, I turned my attention to her. "Lead on, then. They won't be a bother anymore."

She nodded and trotted over to one of the slits from where the ballistae protrude. She then worked her way out of it, slipping out of view. I decided to follow suit, trotting up to the slit. A quick glance and it was clear that I wouldn't fit. I turned about and bucked back as hard as I could. I grimaced and groaned, the pain hitting once more. I limped out a 180 turn and looked at my work. A large chunk of the window was warped and broken, most likely giving me room to slip out. With such an idea, I began squirming through the expanded gap. I eventually popped out the other side, free falling for several moments before landing with a thud and a wave of pain in my leg. When the area came into focus I was amidst a pile of rubble on the grassy exterior of the citadel. The mare was trotting up quickly. "First of all: get up. We don't have time to sit around. They'll know now. Second: were you trying to kill me?!"

I grunted as I arose. "There's a hole in both of the gates. It's a straight shot out."

"Then let's go." She began galloping away, leaving me to limp as best as I could behind her. I made my way out of the gap and looked down the road. There was a grouping around the front gate, and what looked like the chunk of door being raised. I was making my way down when I noticed the mare hiding in the buildings to the right. I glanced over to ensure she was safe before continuing. As I was approaching, the guards turned about.

"There it is! Open fire!" They raised their weapons and began pelting me with their ordinance. I limped my way over, the ponies backing up before me. I raised up onto my hind legs and drew my blades. My stance was shaky at best, my injured leg unable to support this much weight anymore, even with the help of the hydraulics in the suit. Several of the guards lowered their weapons, cowering in my shadow, while others began fleeing. A few remained armed, continuing the barrage in vain. They outpaced me, so I retracted my blades and dropped to my front hooves again. My limp was quick enough to catch one, the small leap helping me to pin the guard. I held it firmly, drawing a blade with my free leg. With a swift strike, a large gash was left in the pony's throat. I then dropped the body and turned to the remaining forces.

"Which one of you wants to paint my armour next?"

Within a few moments, the area was cleared. Within a minute after they fled, the mare was beside me again. "The gate was closed."

"I just have to buck it out again."

"Each time you bucked things, your limp got worse. Are you sure you can handle it?"

"Even if I couldn't, it wouldn't matter; I'd do it anyways."

"Alright then..." I turned my back to the gate again and pulled in my hind legs. I kicked back as best as I could, shifted backwards, and kicked again. I repeated this pattern as best as I could, eventually being worn down to shoving with one hoof. The metal chunk fell eventually, but I could not apply any pressure to my leg afterwards. "You're crazy. I don't know how you manage to do all of this. Can you still even trot?"

"I can manage."

"...alright then. Let's go. I can lead us back." She exited the hole in the wall, bidding me to do the same. My three-legged trot barely got me through the hole as I fought fiercely to catch up.

An accurate description of the two day journey was 'fought fiercely'. It's never an easy task trotting on three hooves, especially not when the simplest motion sends shockwaves of discomfort up your numb leg. Regardless, we eventually made our way back to the hidden city. When we arrived, the cave was silent for several minutes as we stood about. After that, we heard the sound of motion as the gates opened. We trotted our way in, finding the familiar armour of Cularix standing not too far in. "So, another success. Follow me to our headquarters to report."

I began trotting behind her, the other mare accompanying us, but was losing my strength to continue. It wasn't much farther in than the first few intersections before my body gave up. Not even the hydraulics could maintain me anymore. Cularix whipped around when the resonating of my armour rang out from the impact with the floor. "Aqua!"

She galloped over. "Are you alright?"

"I'm exhausted."

“You’re in worse shape than that.” The mare spoke out.

“I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not.”

"How is she not?"

“Her leg is injured."

"How injured?"

"I don't know. I can't even touch it without searing pain shooting up my spine."

"That's pretty messed up then. We need to get you to the medical bay." She tried to lift me, finding my overwhelming mass to be too much. "Can you help me help you?"

“Can’t you manage the three-legged trot any further, even with our help?” I groaned, forcing myself as best as I could. I managed to get into a seated position, as painful as the shifting was. It was with the help of the two mares that I was able to rise again. After I accomplished such, we began trotting once more; Cularix continued to glance back at me in a concerned manner.

We eventually made our way to a medical bay, the familiar symbol hanging off the front to signify it. Once inside, the personnel began addressing us. Orders were given, my armour eventually being powered down. I heard a gasp from the mare I had rescued, an expression of disbelief from Cularix, and shouted orders from the personnel. I turned back to look at my leg. What met my view was the bloody remains of my leg; the wound from Battlescar's axe had split open and compounded. I couldn't tell where the actual cut had been, or where the splitting occurred; the red-soaked hide was the same colour as the flesh beneath it. When I turned back around, a large cart had been wheeled in. The personnel around it were trying their best to get me onto it, eventually lowering it and shoving me onto it. They were preparing things as they carted me away, eventually putting a mask on my muzzle. Before too long, the world was falling out of focus.

When next I awoke I was in a room by myself. It wasn't large, obviously, and I hardly fit in the bed anyways. I went to get up, finding my hind leg to be stiffer than I remember. I pulled aside the blanket to find thick wrappings on my leg. I didn't manage to catch myself before words slipped my mouth. "What the...?"

I did the best that I could and got out of the bed. The pain I felt in my leg seemed distant, but real enough to keep me off of it. I barely managed the stumbling three-legged trot that I did, making my way to the door. I opened it and trotted out side. I then made my way down several hallways, entirely lost, before I heard a gasp and something hit the metallic floor. I turned around, barely managing to do so thanks to my size in these narrow tunnels, to find a stallion standing there. His eyes were wide in fear, his mouth agape. Before I could speak, he was practically blurting out his response. "What are you doing out here?! Your leg has hardly healed! You need to lay back down!"

"Where am I? How long has it been?"

"A few days, hardly enough time for your leg to recover."

"How much longer would it take?"

"Weeks, maybe a month."

"No. I can't wait that long to return home. I must leave now."

"You can't!"

"Where's my armour?"

"I won't let you!"

I looked at him blankly for a moment. "Are you threatening to try and stop me?"

My tone was hushed, but intense. It did the trick, as he took a step back. "N-no, but I won't let you leave here, not this soon, at least."

"Look, I'm about twice your size. I defeated an entire army, broke two metal doors, shattered a stone wall AND fell several stories on this injury. If you think it's going to stop me from finding my armour and getting myself back home then you've clearly lost your mind."

"You're the one that's lost your mind! You're trotting around on something like that? Did you see the spider web of-?"

"Just tell me where my blasted armour is, whelp!" My tone rung out, the frustration getting to me. Such was unbecoming of me, but I could not contain myself. Perhaps what was causing the distant feeling was also causing my lack of emotional control. Whatever it was, the outburst caused the pony to swallow hard and develop a slight tremble.

"R-right. I-it's at the front d-d-desk. They have it."

"And which way is that?" He was silent for a moment. "Tell me!"

With a sudden burst of speed in his voice, he responded. "It's down the hall behind me. Take a left, go straight until you can only go right, then take the first left after that. You'll be out in the waiting room."

"Thank you." He nodded and swallowed hard, backing up into one of the nearby doorways as I trotted by. I followed his directions to the full extent, albeit slowly with my limp, and found myself in the lobby as he had described. Several of the ponies therein turned and looked, curious expressions on their faces. They all wore suits of armour, much like the tight fitting one I obtained previously. I recalled the words of Cularix regarding such, and another glance over the ponies revealed an underside of disgust in their looks. I barely made my way to the counter, standing before a mare. She was seated in front of some kind of display, looking between it and the paper she had. When she finally looked up, the tone of her voice changed entirely. "How may I help...what are you doing here?!"

It was a hushed, but intense, question. "I need my armour."

"You're assigned to be down for six more weeks!" Through clenched teeth she responded in her whisper.

"I can make it. Just give me the armour, please."

"Look, I don't care who you are. I can't just disobey the doctor's orders like that. Go back to the bed and resume your needed rest."

"No."

"What do you mean, 'no'?"

"I'm not going back to that room. I'm returning home."

"So you wish to disobey direct orders from a professional?"

"Yeah, basically."

"It's a wonder you can hold a job."

"My job is what put me in this situation to begin with. Give me the armour so I can recover back home."

"No."

I let out a sigh of frustration. "Look, if you want to be this stubborn, you can ask the nurse what happened."

Just then, the pony from the hallway trotted behind the desk. "Is this true, Darelin?"

"Give her the armour."

"Wha-?"

"Do it."

"You know the doctor's orders. She's not supposed to-"

"She also wasn't supposed to be awake for four more weeks, but that didn't happen. Give her the armour."

"I can't go against the doctor's orders like that."

"I don't want her in here." He began trotting back to the door from whence he came. "She frightens me. Could be dangerous."

With that, he left. The mare turned back around to face me. "...um...right...ok, well, I guess I should see you on your way then."

"I'll need my armour first."

"We're placing it on the conveyor belt. It'll come out of the little chute on the right of you." I turned and looked, finding a small section of the front with a strip of elevated ground. Atop it was a black strip that constantly moved in one direction. After a few moments more, I heard grunting from the back of the room, followed by a loud thud. Within several moments, the familiar mechanism rolled out along the belt. I limped over and retrieved it, putting it on and letting out a sigh of relief. I began limping my way to the door and turned around before leaving.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it." Her tone was flatter than the wastes outside the city. Not wanting to overstay my welcome, I left.

I managed to limp my way to the command centre, eventually managing to find Cularix. She had her back turned, as she was addressing a group of ponies. "Cularix."

She turned about, recognising my voice. "...Aqua? I thought you had several more weeks in the hospital?"

"I don't have time to be hospitalised. I have matters to tend to."

"Well, I guess, since you're here, you might as well give the report." I nodded, to which she turned back to the other ponies. "I will continue your briefing after she has given her report."

They acknowledged her remark and departed. Cularix then turned to me, bidding me follow her. Through the twisting hallways we trotted, or rather one of us trotted while the other limped, until we made our way to the same chamber I had been in before each of my missions. When we arrived Cularix spoke into a small device with slits in it. I was curious what kind of machine it was, but decided not to ask. "Now that I have radioed the other leaders, we wait. You will report when they arrive."

We waited for a few minutes before four other ponies entered. They, too, were clad in different armours. Two of them had large, bulky suits with weaponry clearly plastered all over them. The other two, like Cularix, had sleek suits. Unlike Cularix, however, theirs were dark colours, stealth suits as I could guess. One in the heavy suits spoke first. His voice rang out as a deep echo, as if a low baritone. "Ah, so you must be the one. Cularix told us of your merits concerning Storm. You've outperformed yourself yet again. It takes serious willpower to fight until you collapse, but it can also be reckless. I'm interested in a report you could give that pushed you to that point."

"It's neither complex nor overly heroic. I cut a hole in their front gate, murdered some guards, cut a hole in their inner gate, escaped the guards, took the sewers, arrived at the dungeons, murdered some guards, found the target, murdered some guards, made our way out, left the inner gate, arrived at the outer gate, murdered some guards, and then escaped."

"That is not the kind of effort that would cause collapse, and I know you're not so weak as to faint from such. You cut holes in thick metal plates and kicked them out, I'm assuming."

"I did."

"Then what's the catch?"

"Since she won't answer, I will." Cularix' voice rang out. "She was injured prior to the mission. A deep laceration and muscular damage to the hind leg, if I recall from the medical reports."

"So you performed a full frontal assault while injured? I wouldn't take Serpanian defences so lightly if I were you."

"If I managed what I did while injured, I'd more than be able to wipe them out while healed and at full strength."

"Don't flatter yourself. Their defences-"

"We get it, Polcriax, you were in charge of their defences before you were removed by force. Cularix has shown us a very powerful ally, one that could turn the tide of battle."

"Just because I can destroy their entire military doesn't mean I'm going to; that's not my fight."

"So you would abandon us?"

"No, but going out and committing genocide is not what my job as a Protectorate entails, or even supports." It fell quiet. After a few awkward moments, I spoke again. "You have your report. I will take my leave now. I have resting to do."

I turned as best I could and took a couple of limped steps before hearing the male voice again. "Thank you for your assistance. It is a shame you refuse to save us from this fate."

I paused, without looking back, and uttered my response. "I'm not a changer of fates. I'm just a pony with a sword."

I left, hobbling my way out of the room. As I was going down the hallway, Cularix caught up and began speaking. "You'll have to forgive Polcriax. He's still bitter over being deposed, and he wants to burn the whole city because of it. We only kept him because of how competent he was at commanding the battlefield."

"I don't blame him; if I lost my home or was overthrown by back-biting wretches, I'd be pretty upset too."

"I would like to personally thank you, Aqua."

"For what? I've already been thanked for my performance."

"With the blow you landed, perhaps the Serpanians will be slower to search for us. Not only did you save one of our members, but you bought us time too. I won't forget that."

"You're welcome. I just wish my Order had a better opinion of yours. I don't know why the Guildmaster is so violently opposed to your order. After all, you were kicked out for resisting MoonDusk, right?"

"Yes. If he hates us because of that...by the stars, I hope it doesn't connect like that." I limped in stone cold silence for a few moments, first connecting the dots before the realisation hit. It couldn't be true; the Guildmaster wouldn't swear allegiance to MoonDusk.

"I refuse to believe that he would. You can't make an order like the Protectorates, then turn on them to slaughter in somepony else's name."

"Perhaps he didn't create your order. Perhaps he inherited it." A few more moments of silence, drug on by disbelief, passed before she spoke again. "Watch your back out there, Aqua. Things might not be as they seem."

At this point, we were at the teleporter, with me on the platform. "I'll do my best."

She nodded before I was whisked away back to the other platform. I oriented myself before hobbling off of the teleporter. From thence, I slowly made my way back home.

When I arrived, I found Storm unpacking his things. When he heard the door, he turned about. Upon finding me standing in the doorway, his face lit up and he came trotting over. "Aqua, you're back!"

I began limping over to him on three legs, which almost instantly caused him to stop. "What happened? Why are you limping?"

"You remember my battle with Battlescar?"

"Kind of. Why?"

"Do you remember what injury I sustained?"

"Wasn't it on your hind leg?" I nodded. "Is it acting up?"

"Not only did I gallop on it, but I also bucked in four thick metallic gates, and put my whole weight on it a few times." He sat in dumbfounded silence. "I ripped my leg to pieces. Your order bound it up, but I wasn't going to stay there for another month."

"So it's still injured?"

"Yes. If I was going to rest, it would be here with somepony who cares." He smiled and looked away momentarily; I could have sworn his cheeks seemed a bit flustered. He eventually looked at me again.

"I guess you should take the armour off so I can assess the damage."

I nodded before trotting over to the corner where I kept my arms. I powered the armour down and, with careful manoeuvring, managed to slide it off of me without touching my hind leg to the ground. "Well, I can definitely tell which leg it is that has the injury."

I looked back at the wrapped appendage. "Yeah, not terribly hard when I'm without my armour."

I trotted over to the couch and laid down, orienting myself to keep my injured leg on top of my other one. It remained extended beyond my good leg, mostly so Storm could analyse it. He trotted over to do just such, unwrapping it. He had to do so carefully when it got down to the last layer; the bandage had stuck to my hide and threatened to tear it open whenever he pulled on it. "By the stars, Aqua, you really messed this leg up."

"I'm well aware of that."

"Did you at least manage what you were sent to do?"

"Yes, she's safe."

"So I guess that justifies this for you then, huh?"

"Absolutely."

"You're still something curious. I've never met a pony that will drive herself to such extreme conditions. I admire that about you."

"Thanks." That comment made me feel strangely accomplished.

"I'm going to call Bane and see if he can do anything about this. Stay there." He starred trotting away.

"Well, it's not like I can really go anywhere with it exposed like this." This comment caused him to chuckle and shake his head as he left the room. After a few moments of being alone, I began looking over at my leg. Seeing the exposed wounds was mildly sickening; I had never seen anything so violently wounded, aside from Tigerfire's drained corpse. My leg looked like a roadmap of torn flesh that slowly leaked blood, enough over time to form a small pool on the floor below. I shook my head and looked away, unable to stomach the sight any longer. Not much longer after that, Bane was trotting into the room behind Storm.

"You always accomplish the worst injuries I've seen, Aqua. How do you manage to get so torn up?"

"By getting in over my head, mostly." He chuckled before responding.

"Maybe you should calm down on your job just a touch, yeah?"

"No." Galaxia's voice caused us all to turn. "You're going exactly the pace you need to."

"Oh, I didn't know you were going to help us, Galaxia. I thought Storm had called me alone."

"I've been keeping track of Aqua more closely, as things are developing very quickly. She's making up for lost time."

"I'm still confused as to what you two are expecting from me."

"You will know soon enough."

"I need to know now, Galaxia. Cryptic clues and misleading quotes aren't going to satisfy me."

"I'm not the one that can give you what you're looking for. That's why I haven't answered."

"Then who can?"

"Erazul." The room fell deathly silent.

"Wait, so you mean to tell me that I'm going to have to interrogate the pony trying to capture me?"

“How do you know of his motives?”

“I was pulled into the thoughts of one of the dying dopplegängers, a memory where they were discussing Erazul’s demands.”

“Well then, I suppose that is good information for you to have.”

“Regardless of it, you still haven’t answered my question.”

"If you ultimately have to beat Erazul for information, then perhaps it might come to that."

"Uh, I hate to interrupt this session, but are we going to fix her leg or not? She's bleeding all over Storm's floor, and I'm not sure how much he appreciates that."

"Um, it's her floor, actually. I just rent a room." Bane looked at Storm for a moment before turning back to Galaxia.

"Then she's bleeding all over her floor, and I-"

"I get it, Bane. Let's get this over with then." Galaxia closed in, approaching Bane, who was already seated beside my tattered leg. Galaxia's horn began 'glowing', as loosely as I can call it such, before I ultimately drifted off to magically induced sleep.

When next I awoke I was in my bed. When I felt awake enough to look about the room, I found Storm seated nearby. He was distracted by something in his hooves. When he heard me shift in order to get a better view of the object he had, he quickly put it away and turned to face me. "Oh, you're awake."

"Yeah...don't really feel the part though..." He chuckled before responding.

"Well, I suppose that would make sense. Bane reconstructed the hide on your leg. Shouldn't be but a few days and you'll be back at it."

"Well, that sounds a lot better than a month."

"I agree."

"Oh? Didn't want to spend that much time watching me?" He grew surprised and slightly bashful, being caught off guard by the question.

"You mean watching over you, right?" I chuckled.

"Sure." After a moment or two of silence, he spoke again.

"So...I've got a bit of a question for you."

"What is it?"

"Well, it's kind of a matter to discuss between us."

"Can it wait until I'm a bit more rested and in my right mind, then?" It almost seemed like his face fell.

"Uh...yeah, sure." I looked at him for a moment, but he didn't look back at me. I decided it best to curl back up and see if I could rest more, as the awkward silence was painful at that point. Eventually, I drifted off again.

When next I awoke I was sitting in the Serpanian fortress. I jolted upright, looking around. I didn't appear to be in any apparent danger, so I calmed a bit. I was still befuddled as to how I ended up back in this place, despite my vivid recollection of returning home and being tended to. I decided it best to not stay put and try to dwell on the thought, especially since I was without armour, so I arose and began trotting about the hallways. Before too long, I found thick streaks of blood painting the walls. There were no bodies nearby, just the pulpy remains splattered about. There were char marks as well, a curiosity in and of itself. The Serpanians, as far as I was aware, didn’t use any weapons that produced fire. With brow furrowed in fearful curiosity, I continued my way about the fortress. Eventually, I found a shadow moving down the hallway: it was moving towards me. I began desperately searching for somewhere to hide, realising that I had, along with no armour, not a single weapon with which to defend myself. I found nothing, nowhere to hide or to flee, and the unease and terror only grew the closer the shadow got. Eventually, it came around the corner and into my field of vision. The creature was bipedal, with horns protruding from many various places where horns don't normally protrude, like the arms and legs. Long, thick claws adorned each appendage at the end of its arms, as they did on the feet as well. It stood as tall as the corridor, even when hunched over. It had dark red flesh, or perhaps it was just so thickly coated in blood that I couldn't see its true colour. The eyes were orange portals of pure terror, and its maw was nothing but razor-like teeth. A snarl adorned its face, most particularly when it noticed me. It let out a growled roar before rapidly approaching. I began back-pedalling violently, making good speed. Suddenly, the creature began warping about unnaturally, as if where it was actually wasn't where it had been. It jumped about in my vision as such before it was suddenly upon me. The claws of one of the hands dug deep into my chest, shooting horrific pain up my body. My breath was gasped in a raspy manner. I was raised up to its chest-level before I felt the other hand firmly grasp my flank and hind legs. My eyes shot open wide when I realised what was about to happen. The creature began pulling, and unfathomable pain coursed through me.

I awoke suddenly, shooting upright with a scream of terror. I looked about, making sure I was still whole and unscathed. I checked my chest and midsection, finding nothing wrong. I felt something touch me and reacted violently, trying my best to kick it away. It was then that I finally heard the voice. "Aqua! Calm down! It's alright. I'm here; nothing will hurt you."

My breaths were heavy and difficult, but I began to regain control of them when I figured out it was Storm talking to me. I eventually calmed down, prompting him to speak. "What happened?"

"It was the fortress. Something's wrong."

"What fortress?"

"The Serpanian fortress."

"Why there?"

"I don't know, but it was horrifying."

"What happened?"

"Everypony was dead, and there were these big creatures roaming around. Their only goal was death. One was about to rip me in half when I jolted awake." My breaths were short again, the terror of the moment vividly coming back again.

"Hey, hey," he spoke in his quiet tone, "everything's going to be alright, alright?"

"Yeah...you're right." I swallowed hard and fought to regain control of my breath. Once I had, Storm spoke again.

"You good now?"

"Yeah. Thank you, Storm."

"That's why I'm here." I curled back up and closed my eyes. Soon enough, sleep found me again.

When I awoke again, it was in lieu of another dream related to the Serpanian fortress, one that was far less memorable. Storm was still nearby, stretching as if he had just awakened himself. Before he had time to notice, I spoke. "Storm?"

"What?"

"I have to go back."

"Go back to what?" He was rubbing his eye, trying to fully wake up.

"I have to go back to the Serpanian fortress." Well, that certainly woke him up.

"What? Why?"

"I had another dream about it. I get this feeling that something's wrong."

"But they've teamed up with MoonDusk. Why do you want to help them?"

"Because what could be murdering them is beyond that division. They're monstrous creatures, and who knows if they'd stop with just the Serpanians?"

"You think they know where the rebel group is?"

"No, but somepony might, or they might go for a more apparent target. Either way, even if I'm wrong, I have to be sure." He looked at me for a moment.

"Alright then. You know where your armour is, and where the teleporter is. Don't get caught, or killed, alright? I still have something I want to discuss with you."

"Will do." I climbed off of the bed, taking a moment to test my leg. No pain shot up my body when I put weight on it, so I began trotting my way to my armour. Once downstairs, I equipped it and set out.

It didn't take long for me to find the teleporter again, and from there I made my way to the front gates of the underground base. As I approached, a pony drew near. He was clad in heavy armour, that was for sure, but its dark blue plates were nowhere near as grandiose as the leader's, nor did it have as many visible weapons. "Halt! State your business for approaching the main gate."

"My name is Aqua, and I'm headed toward the Serpanian fortress."

"What for? Has Cularix given you a mission there?"

"No."

"Then I cannot grant you your request."

"This is of the utmost urgency. I ask that you let me go."

"Without orders from Command, I cannot open the gate."

"Do you have family there? In the fortress?"

"Whether I did or not doesn't matter, what matters-"

"They could be in very grave danger. Something is going wrong and it could be slaughtering everypony in there." It grew silent for a second.

"What kind of 'something' is it?"

"Something big, something terrible, something that can easily tear alicorns in twain." I heard his breathing change for a moment. To be fair, even mine did while recalling the vivid dream where it happened."I need to get over there and stop it."

"I'll let you out this time, but you better be good at explaining things to Cularix, 'cause she'll have your flank faster than you could teleport." I nodded. "Alright then. Opening the gate."

He did as promised, allowing me to leave before he closed the gate behind me. I was then left to trot through the grey waste they called the Gap. I set my course and set out.

I eventually reached the massive metal city, finding the hole still in the gate. Something about that didn't sit right with me, especially if I had been down for a while recovering from my injury. I cautiously trotted within, pointing myself to the other gate. I trotted my way up, noticing a small bit of blood along the pavement that I hadn't put there before. I poked at it with my greave, finding that it wasn't entirely dried; not too much time had passed since this blood was spilt. I turned my attention back to the other hole and began trotting to it. When I entered the inner courtyard, I began looking around. There had definitely been conflict here; ballista bolts stuck out of the ground like trees in a forest, blood soaked the green grass, turning it into a crimson canvas that told tales of desolation. Turning my attention to the entrance of the citadel, I found the gate to have been fiercely clawed open. Both the size and location denoted that a creature far larger than I was had destroyed the gate. I decided that this was my best option for further investigation, so I delved into the thrashed entry.

It didn't take long for me, wandering about the bloodstained halls as I was, to find a hallway that was strikingly familiar. Even the bloodstain on the wall seemed to scream familiarity at me. It wasn't until I saw a shadow moving towards me that it clicked: I was in the hallway of that nightmare. The creature approached ever nearer, causing terror to course through my veins. The memory of that nightmarish ending haunted me still. It forced me to look at myself to make sure I was armour clad, which I was. As the shadow grew closer, I swallowed the fear and reared up onto my hind legs, drawing my two blades. When it rounded the corner, however, it was not what I was expecting. Yes, it was the same monster, but just in looks. The thing was smaller than the ponies that had inhabited this place, which was really saying something. When it noticed me, it began charging at full speed, a pace which I might have been able to out-pace by limping, and let out an adorable little shrieked growl. I could barely reach the thing while reared up. With one swing, the creature was felled. Before I could lower myself and trot over, however, the creature set fire. The sudden combustion caused me to jump backwards a bit in fright before moving back in with curiosity. By the time I arrived, there was nothing left of it aside from a scorch mark, conveniently located where the one in my dream was. I turned my attention back to the hall before me and trotted forth again.

I wandered about the halls, gawking at the unparalleled destruction that seemed to lie before me. Scorch marks lined many surfaces, and in high quantities. Streaks of blood coated much of the floor, and every now and then there was nothing more than a pile of eviscerated remains, entirely undistinguishable masses of flesh piled up messily. I heard the sounds of claws further down the hallway, so I turned my attention from the nearby fleshy mass. I found several, if not dozens, of creatures vaguely similar to the first. The main difference being that they were both larger and more inherently dog-like. Their growls echoed down the empty hall next, letting me know that it was certainly an aggressive approach. I reared up onto my hind legs and drew my blades, letting them heat up. When the hounds closed in, I began hacking them apart. There were enough that they managed to latch onto my armour and begin yanking and tugging, threatening to topple my stance. Thankfully enough, they weren’t quite strong enough to ever pull my legs out from under me. When the last one had combusted into nothing more than a pile of ash, I withdrew my blades and dropped again. With the thought of the devastation, seeing just how numerous these creatures might have been, I leaned against the wall beside me. When I did, I felt a slight shift and a click. Moments later, after I had stepped away from the wall to examine it, the section of wall about where I had been standing shifted inwards. It then slid to the side, revealing a passageway within. I cocked my head in curiosity and decided to trot within. Moments after I entered, trying to figure out what the passage was for, the door closed behind me. I quickly turned around and tried to stop it, but it was futile, as it was mostly closed by the time I actually arrived. When it fully locked itself again, I was left in nothing but the pitch black silence of a dirt tunnel.

After a moment or two, I decided to use the same spell that I had employed in the forest a while back. As such, I focused my magic as best as I could. Eventually, the small tunnel lit up, if no more than perhaps three yards ahead and behind me. It wasn’t very conducive to navigation, and I’m sure it would be very easy to get lost, but I decided that it was my best option at that point. Accordingly, I began trotting into the tunnel.

As I continued my way down the passageway I noticed that it eventually began descending. Shortly after the gentle slope there were a set of stairs. I saw no other way to go, so I followed. As I began climbing this spiral stairwell in the depths of the fortress, I noticed that the walls eventually were coated in the same material as the walls in the hallways of the fortress. It shared the same sleek design, and, frankly, it was the same kind of design that was used in the splinter group’s base as well. It’d make sense, considering that it was the architecture that they knew best. I shook the train of thought from my head suddenly as I was faced with a decision to make: there was a small passageway, perhaps the size of those ponies who lived here, that I could squeeze my way into or I could continue ascending the stairs. I decided to go with the latter, and continued the tiring climb accordingly.

I’m not sure exactly how many steps I trotted up, and I lost track of the number of splinter passageways that I passed, as I continued my way up. Surely, I thought, there had to be an end to such a stairwell, and that the end couldn’t just be the ceiling. My legs felt like they would give out at any moment, but it was around this time that my light illuminated the end of the stairs. I silently praised my luck upon finding the end, before ultimately sitting down once I cleared the top step. I waited for several moments, perhaps minutes, until the burning subsided in my legs. I then arose again, my hind legs threatening to shake when I did so, and headed for the opening before me. As I trotted through the passageway, I quickly found a wall at the end. I stared at it blankly for a moment, and I’m still not entirely sure what I felt in that moment. Perhaps it was rage or frustration, perhaps exasperation or like the universe was tugging me around. Whatever it was, it wasn’t a pleasant feeling, so I decided to hit the wall. I’m still not entirely sure why, but I reached out and kicked the surface before me. It sounded almost hollow, and, shortly after I hit the thing, eventually the wall opened up. The light more than dwarfed the pitiful little glow that I was creating, so I dropped the spell. The spell itself wasn’t anything major, but dropping the drain was still a relief. Once my eyes finally adjusted to the new light level I trotted out of the passage. I heard the wall close behind me again, causing me to turn around once more. Indeed, I couldn’t even tell there had been a door there, just the plain texture of the smooth wall. I shook my head and turned around again, as there seemed to be a small lip to stand on, perhaps no longer than the ponies that inhabited this base.

When I approached the lip, I got a heavy sense of vertigo. What I thought might have been a few yards drop off of the side turned out to be a few hundred yard drop. No wonder my legs burned so much, I thought; I had just climbed up this entire distance that I was now staring down through. I reactively took a step away from the lip, which was entirely without any kind of protective stop or preventative barrier, and stopped when my flank touched the wall after a step or two. I began looking around the space that I was in, seeing if there was anything to note. The first thing I noticed was the ceiling, and how it extended another dozen yards up. Despite this, there really wasn’t anything up there of special value. Fixed in the center of the roof, and taking up most of the space up here in the small, circular platform, was a large chain. The chain itself was thicker than my entire body when I was curled up or seated, and it was fixed to the ceiling with bolts that looked to be wider than my body was long. Along the walls were glass windows which were formed with colourful patterns, but they didn’t seem to represent anything. Granted, a stained glass window this far up would be completely impractical. Perhaps it was to bathe the walls in more colours of light than the grey outside, at least when it was still daylight out. Another thing that I noticed while up here was that the colour of the walls was different. Rather than the white-grey that they had been, the walls carried a light turquoise or pale aquamarine colour. It was subtle, but still very noticeable, or at least I thought so. I decided to drift my way slowly to the lip again and look down. What I saw initially was absolutely breathtaking. I had never seen such exquisite crafting in all of Equestria. The building widened the further down it went, and the turquoise walls became more of a pearly white again. There were a few lips along the way, much like the one I was standing on, and each had sets of stained glass windows. The chain in the middle of the open air went down a long distance, and looked like it ended at the last lip. From this point, the chain connected to a large chandelier. This chandelier, however, was nothing I had ever seen before. Rather than having an upward facing design, with candles or some other light source, the chandelier hung down like digits of an appendage. Each of these digits seemed to cast light from it, so I’m assuming there was something within that lit up the area below it.

When I finished admiring the chandelier, I finally took note of what was directly underneath it. Covering the entirety of the floor, which seemed like it could have been larger than the Royal Duo’s main court, was a sea of red. It wasn’t blood, nor was it stationary. There was a little clearing near an elevated platform. Upon this area stood a creature that wasn’t red, nor did it have the little white spots that indicated the bone protrusions. The creature was a dark purple or black, some kind of mix of the two. Accenting lines drew their way all across the body of the creature, and the light and colour pulsated periodically. It grew brighter and more yellow when the creature would smash something, and cooled to a low red otherwise. I didn’t want to jump down, as it would have been my certain death, and the chandelier was out of range. I also didn’t want to fight a horde of monsters that couldn’t even be counted, at least not in this concentration. I knew I’d have to clear them out eventually, but now was not the time. I went to leave, but something caught my eye before I had drawn back from the lip; the large, dark creature cleared a section of the floor before it. Suddenly, as if the fabric of reality itself ripped in twain, a hellish looking portal opened, and the dark creature leaped within. Moments later, the portal closed and the creatures began moving. I decided that this was my cue, and left the ridge.

It took a considerable amount of time for me to descend the stairwell once again. By the time I got to the bottom I was both out of breath and exhausted, so I sat down on the darkened dirt floor beneath me. I dropped my horn’s glow for the time being, hoping that such an action would help me recover faster. Whether or not it did, I’m not sure. I did, however, eventually recover enough to stand and head down the tunnel once more.

I eventually made my way to the wall, and tried the same thing I did with the wall in the spire, although with a much lesser force this time around. Conveniently enough, knocking on the wall opened it. Once the wall had cleared out of the way I trotted outside of the hidden passageways once more. I then looked around. I eventually decided on a direction to travel before trotting further inside of the fortress.

I spent a considerable amount of time within the bloodstained passageways. I would trot down the extensive hallways, attempting to find any of those strange creatures I could. When I found some I would cut them down with extreme prejudice. I only stopped my efforts when my stomach began growling too loudly to ignore any longer. I decided it best to figure out how to get out of the inner fortress and see if I couldn’t get any of the ponies in the residential areas to give me food.

As I left the inner gate, cutting down whatever opposition lay before me, I turned my attention to the houses around me. I trotted to the first one, knocking on the door and waiting patiently. It was quiet, almost deathly quiet, out here. I couldn’t recall if it was more silent now than it had been before, but it was almost unnerving. I knocked again, waiting one last bout to see if there was anypony inside. I then opened the door and entered the house. A quick exploration of the interior of the home revealed that it was entirely devoid of life. There was no blood, nor bodies or scorch marks, just the empty interior. I was unsure of what to think, but decided that, if nopony was here, that I could take what few supplies I needed. I brushed that thought away, rationing that I needed to check more homes to make sure that I wasn’t just stealing from ponies that happened to be gone. As such, I left the front door, closing it behind me, and began exploring the nearby houses.

It didn’t take exploring more than three or four of the neighbouring houses to come to the realisation that these homes had been hit by the invading force. It was mostly blood and mushy piles of flesh left over from the massacre that I found within these dwellings. A few of the doors were broken off of their hinges, or rested tediously upon them. Upon finding this, I began rummaging for supplies. The ponies couldn’t object if they were eviscerated piles on the floor, I figured.

By the time I had thrown together a meal and consumed it the sky was darkening. I decided to rest for the time being, so I picked the first house, which had the working door and lack of dead ponies inside of it, as my base of operation. Once I trotted inside the home I closed and secured the door, trotting around the home and making sure everything was very securely closed. I then made my way to the upstairs bedroom. Once inside, I closed the door, barricading it with a nearby dresser and bookcase before removing my armour. Once the plates had folded down I set the bags of armour on the floor and made my way to the bed. I climbed into it, fitting quite nicely in the surprisingly large frame, and tucked myself in for the night. I soon drifted into sleep, as warily as it was.

When I roused myself from sleep again I climbed out of the bed and trotted over to my armour. Once it was equipped I removed the barricade from the door and trotted out. I checked to make sure that I was still the only creature inside of the house, finding it to indeed be the case. With such a discovery, I decided it was safe enough to prepare and consume breakfast with what little supplies I found in the house. Once my simple breakfast had been eaten I set out of the house, making sure the door was closed behind me.

From there I made my way back to the interior of the citadel-like castle. When I arrived I began my patrol anew, slaying anything and everything that I found. I would leave the fortress when hunger began to creep upon me so that I could sate my appetite with a simple meal at midday or so. At the end of the day, or what I guessed was the end of a day, I would leave the fortress, scavenge supplies from nearby homes, and return to the one I had camped in. I would prepare a meal, eat it, and head upstairs after ensuring that the perimeter was clear. Once upstairs, I would barricade myself inside of the bedroom in the same manner as before, hoping to remain as safe as possible.

This pattern continued for what I can only estimate as weeks, perhaps two or three. After the first week the thought crossed my mind wondering if the gate keeper pondered on where I was. Perhaps he thought me dead, that I shared the same fate with all those within the wall. At this point, however, what he thought didn’t matter to me. I was worn, exhausted, from the constant fighting. Each rest was an attempt, a vain one if I might add, to try and recover to some fraction of what I had been at the day before. By the last day, the day following my last sweep of the now empty fortress, I almost could not arise out of the bed. I eventually managed, equipping my armour. I hadn’t looked at the condition of the plates since the first week, as I was too tired to even think at that point; most of the fighting was pure, survivalist instinct driving me from scuffle to scuffle. Regardless, the plates still functioned and performed their task of protecting me, so it really didn’t matter to me what shape they were in. On this, the day of my return, I both rejoiced at the prospect of getting proper rest and dreaded the thought of having to trot through the Gap. And so, with a bag of mixed emotions, I set out into the depressing grey waste.

Thankfully, the rains that came only started during the last leg of my journey, so I galloped at what pace I could in order to enter the tunnel I knew so well to be the entrance to the base. As I made my last few steps from the outside I could tell that the ground had begun to soften severely. I gladly made my way into the shelter provided and kicked off the curious grey stone that had stuck to my greaves. I then turned my attention to the gates that remained before me, turning myself towards the only thing preventing my return. I trotted up to them, eventually knocking upon the plates. I heard a small shuffle of something from the wall, so I backed up to see if I could find the source. I didn’t manage to do so before the shuffle sound closed off once again, but it didn’t matter; the gate began to open. Once it had opened enough for me to trot within I did so. The same pony from before was standing, looking at me. Unamused would be the emotion I would use to describe his face. “So, you’re not dead.”

“No.”

“So I take it you managed to do what you went in planning to do?”

“I did, for as long as it took, yes. I had hoped it would be over in a week, but there were more of them than I had anticipated.”

“Well, as long as it’s clear, I don’t think any of us will mind how long it took you. Now go rest up. I think you’ve earned it.” I nodded, the gate closing behind me. He then nodded his head in the direction of the base, signalling me to leave. I did so gladly, eventually making my way towards the teleporter room. Once inside the room I stepped upon the pad, waiting for the process to end.

When the bright light had calmed I looked about and moved off of the small platform. I oriented myself and began trotting towards where I knew was home. It wasn’t long before I broke out of the tree line, and from there it was a straight shot back home.

I eventually arrived back home, worn and exhausted. I had no idea what condition I was in, or what my armour even looked like for that matter. As soon as I entered my house and Storm saw me, however, it wasn't hard to tell. He arose quickly, but didn't move closer. After he gazed at me silently for a few moments, he spoke. "By the stars...Aqua, what in Tartarus happened to you?"

"What? Do I look that bad?"

"You look like you got ground up underneath a landslide before being spat out onto a steep cliffside fall, and then coming to a halt after rolling down a hill of jagged rocks."

"Wow. That was quite a description. Well, if nothing else, I'm exhausted."

"What happened over there?"

"The whole fortress had been overrun. I'm not sure if there were survivors or not."

"Overrun? By what? What killed them all?"

"I don't even know what to call them, but they were in no ways any natural creature. They were sickeningly disfigured abominations bent on pure destruction."

"So what took you so long to come back? If the Serpanians were all dead, why did it take so long for you to return home?"

"I cleaned out the fortress; I hunted down as many of those wretched things as I could."

"Why? What was the point of clearing it?"

"Their leaders might have teamed up with MoonDusk, but not every single pony in that fortress lived and breathed war. That's simply not how demographics work."

"...explain to me how that makes a difference."

"Proper burials can be had now, should there be any bodies left. Ponies can retrieve their stolen property. Perhaps with time, or when MoonDusk falls, they can finally move back into their own city. I don't know what caused those things to show up, but I doubt it will happen again."

"Well, if it's closure enough for you, it's closure enough for me. You'll probably have to repair your armour, won't you?"

"Yeah, but I really need some sleep first. It's been days since I had the chance."

"...why do you always do this to yourself?"

"I don't seem to have any other option."

"What about somepony else?"

"Who?"

"I don't know. What if you sent somepony with a higher rank or something?"

"The only rank in the Order is Guildmaster, Storm. Once we're accepted, we can take any assignment." He was silent. After a couple of moments, I began heading towards the corner where my workbench was. I paused as my armour deactivated. "If there was any other way to do it, I would, but I feel like this is what I have to do."

Storm nodded and went off to his room, apparently content that I was not seriously injured. After my gear unpacked, at least far enough for me to wriggle out of the damaged plates, I looked myself over. I had a few cuts, mostly from squeezing out of my armour, but was generally ok. As such, I made my way to my room upstairs, flopping onto my bed when I arrived. I then sat for a moment in exhaustion before sleep overcame me.

It felt as if my rest accomplished nothing, but, at the very least, I had more energy than moments before I went to sleep. Once I couldn't sleep anymore, I decided to head downstairs and begin working on my armour.

While performing repairs, Storm approached me. I was about halfway done when he spoke. "Aqua?"

"Yes?"

"Would now be a time that I could talk to you about the thing I wanted to ask you before?" I set down my repairs and turned to face him.

"Sure. What's on your mind?"

"Well, we've been together, well, like, living together, for a while now. I think we've gotten to know each other fairly well."

"What about it?"

"Well, I was thinking, what if we made it so that we were closer? Able to help each other more, no stipulation of different rooms, and so on."

"So you want to share a room with me?"

"A bit more than just that, yes." He took a deep breath before seating himself before me in a different manner than I had seen anypony sit before. It was almost as if he was kneeling, which is an interesting concept with four legged creatures, all things considered. Within his wing, which he now extended towards me, was a small box. The thing was red in colour. He spoke once his wing was fully extended. "Aqua, will you marry me?"

I stared at him, cocking my head. I had no idea what he was doing. "...uh..."

My confused response and body language caused a defeated look to shoot across his face. "Oh...well...um..."

He began putting the box away, so I quickly stopped him. "Wait."

"Yeah?" His tone was flat, downtrodden even.

"What's 'marry'?" He looked at me, expressionlessly this time. He blinked once or twice. "I don't know what you're asking me to do."

"You've never heard that word?" I shook my head. His blank expression spoke volumes of his confusion. "Ok. Well, I guess that answers why you didn't say yes, or really answer in general."

"Can you explain what it means?"

"When two ponies are married, it's like the binding thing that makes a family. Married ponies usually have foals."

"So you want to have a foal with me?"

His expression reddened more than I had seen it do so before. "N-no, not like that. I mean, if we're together like we are now, the only thing we're missing is the recognition, a vow, and a few minor details. The reason I said usually was just because it's what they normally do, but not everypony decides to do that."

"So, you want to marry me for...what again?"

"We're sleeping in separate rooms. Logistically speaking, it'd be easier for us to monitor the other if we shared a room. Plus, I think you're pretty attractive..."

"Oh..." My face felt like it got a little warm.

"I would also like to be able to call you my own, before some other stallion steals that honour."

"Wow. Well...I'm flattered. I...I don't even know what to say."

"Well, it's either a yes or a no." He smiled, looking directly into my eyes. I still wasn't entirely sure what it all entailed, but I gave my response anyways.

"Then I say yes." He quickly arose and hugged me. He pulled away after I hugged him back, eventually pulling the box out again. He opened it, revealing the contents held within. It was a singular pearl, attached in a gold loop that held it firm. The loop sat on a gold chain, long enough to fit over my head. Storm put it on me, letting the chain rest against the back of my neck. The pearl hung down to where the one embedded in my chest was resting. Storm then looked back up at my face.

"I thought you might like it, since it was kind of like your pearl. I thought it might be a nice sentiment."

"I love it, Storm. It's beautiful. I don't even know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything." I looked back up at him, seeing the warm smile that broke across his face. I smiled back, looking at him momentarily.

"Thank you. I wish I could savour the moment, but I have to finish repairs and head back to the Order."

"That's fine. I should figure out how to move my stuff into your room anyways."

"So you'd prefer the second floor over ground level?"

"After being kidnapped from my room, definitely." We both chuckled a bit before he headed off and entered his room. I then turned my attention back to my repairs. That is, after I took a few more moments to look at the pearl he had given me. I smiled before working the metal again.

By the time I finally finished my work on fixing up my armour night had fallen. I decided to rest for the night. As such, I headed upstairs. When I opened the door to my room, I found Storm moving around a few of his things inside. He glanced back at me. "Hey Aqua."

"Still figuring out where to put everything?"

"Yeah. Moving takes a while, even if it's just between rooms."

"How much longer do you think it'll take?"

"I was actually just finishing. You tired?"

"Yeah."

"Alright. And...done." He closed the last drawer that was left open. "Yeah, I've got to say, I'm pretty tired myself."

I climbed into my bed, speaking while doing so. "I imagine; moving all of that stuff up here must not have been the easiest."

Once I was settled, I felt a depression of the other side of the bed. I turned and looked, finding Storm there. I looked at him for a moment, causing him to speak out in curiosity. "What?"

"I'm just not used to anypony else being around. It might take some getting used to."

"Easiest way of getting used to it is doing it to begin with." He settled down beside me, the two of us now curled into the bed.

"Yeah. I suppose you're right. I mean, I'd say it's sudden, but there's not really any other way of going about it, huh?"

"Not really, no." It grew silent for a moment before Storm extinguished the candles beside the bed. It was now dark, or at least darker than it had been before, in the room. I was about to close my eyes when I heard his voice again. "So what plans do you have for tomorrow?"

"I was planning on reporting back to my Order. It's been a little while."

"Do you think they'd mind if I tagged along?"

"The Guildmaster doesn't particularly appreciate you, as it sounded like, but I think the other ponies are fine."

"Cool. What time were you planning on leaving?"

"Shortly after waking."

"So then we should get some sleep, huh?"

"Might be a good idea."

"Well, sleep well, Aqua."

"You too, Storm." The room grew quiet as we both settled in for sleep. It felt strange having somepony else in my room when I was healthy, nevertheless in my bed while I was curled up for sleep. Despite this, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

When I awoke, I felt Storm's wing on my body. More out of natural reaction than anything, I quickly shifted away. When I realised how close I was to falling off of the bed, I shifted back over. This movement woke up Storm, who let out a tired groan before speaking. "You alright?"

"I'm not used to anypony touching me, especially not in this setting."

"Has to do with the whole ‘not being used to having anypony else around’ thing, doesn't it?"

"Mhm."

"Well, you don't have anything to be afraid of." He sat upright finally, rubbing his eye. His mane was a mess and the feathers on his wings disorganised, but aside from that, he seemed fine. "How was your sleep?"

"It was good. You ready for today?"

"Yeah, just got to get rolling is all." He let out a slight chuckle. I wasn't sure what was humorous about his statement, so I disregarded it and climbed off of the bed. I turned my attention downstairs, heading towards my armour. I made sure I had finished all of the repairs before turning around. I suppose my inspection took longer than anticipated, especially when I found Storm trotting out of the kitchen with a plate of food for me. He set it down beside me before going back for his own. Not much conversation was shared over the meal, so we finished in a decent amount of time. We then split up for our respective preparations. When the last plates folded over my body, I set myself towards the door and waited for Storm to come. He did eventually, with a few things packed in his saddlebags. His armour looked about like any other steel plate, but considering the large difference in danger between our two occupations it was understandable. When he approached he nodded, giving me the signal that he was ready to go. As such, I trotted to the door and set out. He closed it behind us before we began trotting to the Sanctuary.